Low-income families need housing — and equity

More workforce housing is great, but what happens when the workforce isn’t able to build financial equity?

Funding both the purchase and reconstruction of the former Embassy Suites property on St. Paul Street downtown in order to enter the “market” of subsidized rentals as a public-private partnerships may appear worthy, but is it really (“$30M plan will turn downtown Baltimore hotel into affordable housing,” Jan. 10)?

Real estate developers in any “market” do one thing quite well — they build the equity of private investors. In this case, it’s being done under a veneer of supplying ever-scant housing at a barely affordable “market rate” or housing that has direct government subsidization of its residents.

How does this build on what was a shared dream of opportunity for individuals and not corporate entities?

Unless housing for “the public” provides for some form of equity building for its residents, then we’re not much further along than Murphy Homes 2.0 or the economics of a corporate plantation.

— Dolph Druckman, Baltimore

Fear of crime not just matter of perception

Permit me to expand on the subject of public safety in Baltimore and elsewhere. I’m no criminologist, but let me tell you what I think and let the fact checkers that still have jobs pounce.

The murder rate is not the prime metric for most in Baltimore. Murders here probably connect overwhelmingly to the drug trade and most city residents aren’t the targets though they may still be victims. Instead, we are more likely to be assaulted, robbed or carjacked or have property stolen or defaced (“Despite Baltimore crime being down, some residents still feel unsafe: ‘The perception is that it’s the same,'” Jan. 11).

I’ve talked to police officers at community association meetings and they tell me they are often prevented from doing their jobs. Back before the guy lost his life in the squeegee incident at the Inner Harbor, I heard city officials saying the consent decree prohibited them from stopping the squeegee activity. One well publicized homicide later and that consent decree doesn’t seem to mean the same thing. Why?

My point is that we need to have an honest conversation about what is going on with public safety. Who is making the decisions for us? What is the agenda? Why are we short 600 or more cops? There needs to be a debate about our priorities and how we can all be safe here, no matter whether Black or white, rich or poor.

— Scott Graham, Baltimore

Happy to have Sloane Brown back in action

Thank you so much for bringing back society reporter Sloane Brown for the Arts & Entertainment section of The Baltimore Sun on Sundays (“Baltimore Scene by Sloane: Say Sister! Festival,” Jan. 7).

It’s so wonderful to see happy people celebrating at special occasions. I like how all the people are identified and their occupation is also included.

PS: I will definitely miss Dan Rodricks’ column.

— Eileen Leikach, Pikesville

Can there ever be another Rodricks?

I write to join the thousands of Baltimore Sun readers lamenting the end of Dan Rodricks’ columns (“Nobody asked me but The Sun will miss Dan Rodricks,” Jan. 12). His columns were both a joy to read and a call to action. From highlighting the plight of ex-offenders to calling out political corruption in our local leaders, he made us better citizens.

I personally benefited from both Dan’s recipe for Portuguese stuffing and his willingness to follow up on a tip about problems in Maryland’s parole system. He is the reason many of us did not cancel our subscriptions to the Sun after its most recent ownership change.

I am happy that the Sun has committed to “seek more voices” to tell local stories but doubt there will ever be another Dan Rodricks.

— Jane Murphy, Oxford

Dan Rodricks leaves big shoes to fill

I will truly miss Dan Rodricks (“Sun publisher: Nobody asked me, but The Sun will miss Dan Rodricks,” Jan. 10)!

Who is going to help us with pointing out the hypocrisy and shortcomings of U.S. Rep. Andy Harris? Who is going to bring attention to the many citizens of Baltimore who need to be spotlighted for their contribution to Charm City? Rodricks is leaving some big shoes to fill.

Thank you, Dan. Job well done! Best wishes for a happy, healthy and well-deserved retirement.

— Tracy Moore, Forest Hill